Illnesses with rashes on the body. Children's skin diseases with rashes

From the point of view of immunology, the invasion of one or many antigens stimulates defense mechanisms, i.e., the production of antibodies, which makes it possible to neutralize a foreign substance (this same antigen), and therefore promote recovery (see “Vaccinations - pros and cons” ).

The antibody forms with the antigen what is called an antigen-antibody complex, which, having found a place on the skin, is fixed there, provoking the occurrence of inflammatory reactions. They can be expressed both in the form of skin lesions, including both spots and nodules (papules), and in the form of blisters (this depends on what the child is sick with).

Having seen any rash, you should first of all make sure that it is not a symptom of one of the so-called childhood diseases (see “Childhood diseases”). Other viral diseases (except measles, rubella, etc.) generally manifest themselves only by a sharp increase in temperature. And in this case, a diagnosis can be made only after the doctor observes how the disease progresses for several days. If the temperature does not decrease for a long time, it is necessary not just a one-time consultation with a pediatrician, but constant communication with him.

Roseola (a small, suddenly appearing exanthema) occurs in children aged 16-18 months and begins with a high temperature that lasts for 3 days without any accompanying symptoms. No body functions are impaired, tests are normal. And only a measles-type rash on the fourth day of illness, when the temperature finally drops, indicates that recovery is coming.

During transition periods (autumn, but mainly in spring), viral infections similar to those caused by enterovirus can manifest themselves. What are the main signs of such a disease? The child's temperature rises and at the same time a moderate digestive disorder occurs. On the 3-4th day after this, a scattered small rash appears on the skin - all over the body - which indicates recovery. When examining a child, the pediatrician will undoubtedly detect residual effects of pharyngitis - a sign that the throat served as the “entry gate” for the infection.

The “hand-foot-mouth” syndrome, which owes its origin to the Coxsackie virus, most often appears in babies aged about one year, especially in the summer. It is expressed in increased temperature and nodular rash on the palms, soles and roof of the mouth. Hence its strange name (it simply indicates the “address” where the virus “breaks out”).

Shingles, caused by the herpes virus, is extremely rare in young children. But nevertheless, they also happen to observe bubbles running in a chain along one side - as a rule, from the armpit to the end of the rib (front or back). Shingles in children is usually much less painful than in adults.

Herpetic stomatitis can reveal itself with very characteristic signs (see “Stomatitis”), but the fact that the blisters do not always appear quite clearly at the very beginning of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. Most often, the disease manifests itself precisely at the moment of eruption of blisters or ulcers. Small round or oval ulcers with a grayish coating, individual or multiple, are scattered over the entire surface of the oral mucosa. If the viral infection is severe, you should consider using potent antiherpetic drugs such as acyclovir or Zovirax.

Infectious mononucleosis is not so rare in children and is manifested not only by acute pain in the throat (the tonsils are inflamed, covered with a dirty white coating, which makes one suspect a sore throat at first), not only by enlargement and hardening of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes (which just denies the diagnosis of sore throat ), not only high fever and pronounced weakness, but also rashes in the form of small spots throughout the body. Sometimes examination also reveals a greatly enlarged spleen.

This is one of the viral diseases, the diagnosis of which requires mandatory confirmation by a blood test (not only a clinical one, but also two specific ones). Most often, the disease is not too severe, but the child still feels weak for a long time after it (this condition can last several weeks). Mononucleosis cannot be treated with antibiotics; in severe cases (and, fortunately, they are rare), hormonal drugs are used.

A viral infection does not require treatment with antibiotics, unlike a bacterial one, and the outcome of the disease is usually more favorable.

As for how contagious viral diseases accompanied by skin rashes are, enteroviruses are considered practically safe in this regard (but they also sometimes cause epidemics in children's groups). The most dangerous outbreaks with a blistering rash are chicken pox, herpes, and shingles. Other diseases (scarlet fever, mononucleosis, measles, rubella) are not so easily transmitted from sick children to healthy ones.

What to avoid...

To believe that when a doctor diagnoses a viral disease, he “does not understand” what is really wrong with the child.

It is clear that in most cases, without additional tests, it is difficult to understand which virus is responsible for the occurrence of a particular disease. Of course, you can demand that the doctor order tests for your child. But is this worth demanding? In order to detect specific antibodies, blood should be taken from the child twice, with an interval of 2 weeks. Only under this condition will it be possible to see whether the number of antibodies in the body increases, that is, whether its ability to fight, say, an enterovirus increases. Why subject your baby to painful procedures when it is known that 2-3 weeks after recovery - and it will happen after just a few days! - there will be no trace of infection left (test results can be obtained much later!)?

To believe that any rash on the skin is a symptom of one of the childhood diseases.
Only a doctor can make a diagnosis! Some childhood diseases require particularly precise diagnosis, because they can be dangerous for the people around the child, and therefore, all necessary measures must be taken in a timely manner.

Kiss your baby if you have a “fever” on your lip (this is a manifestation of a viral disease - herpes).

You can easily pass on the infection, and your child may develop extremely painful and relatively severe herpetic stomatitis. It is especially important to take precautions when herpes occurs in an expectant mother or a woman who has just given birth.

In addition to roseola, which parents begin to recognize quite quickly, many viral diseases are accompanied by skin rashes. Based on external manifestations, mothers and fathers often confuse them with childhood diseases, and only a doctor is able to clarify the diagnosis (and sometimes it is not so easy for him to do this).

Rash is a very broad medical term. It can vary greatly in appearance, and have many potential causes. What can skin rashes indicate? What signs should you look out for if you have a rash? Should you take the rash seriously and what diseases can cause the rash? This is discussed in detail in our article.

Causes of the rash

Contact dermatitis

One of the most common causes of rash is contact dermatitis. It occurs as a reaction to touch. The skin may become red and inflamed, and the rash becomes moist over time. Common triggers are:

Dyes in clothes
Cosmetic products
Poisonous plants such as poison ivy and sumac
Chemicals such as latex or rubber

Medications

Medicines can also cause rashes. In addition, some medications, including antibiotics, cause photosensitivity - they make a person more sensitive to sunlight. The photosensitivity reaction looks like a sunburn.

Infections

Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can also cause a rash. These rashes vary depending on the type of infection. For example, candidiasis, a common fungal infection, causes an itchy rash that usually appears in the folds of the skin.

If you suspect an infection, it is important to consult a doctor.

Autoimmune conditions

An autoimmune condition occurs when a person's immune system begins to attack healthy tissue. There are many autoimmune diseases, some of which can cause rashes. For example, lupus is a condition that affects a number of body systems, including the skin. When the disease occurs, a butterfly-shaped rash appears on the face.

Let's talk in more detail about what diseases and situations can lead to skin rashes.

A bite of an insect

Many insects can cause a rash with their bite. Although the reaction may vary between individuals and animals, symptoms often include:

Redness and rash
Swelling at or around the bite site

Stikker's disease

Stikker's disease, also known as erythema infectiosum and slapped cheek syndrome, is caused by parvovirus B19. One of the symptoms is a rash, which appears in three stages:

A patchy red rash on the cheeks with clusters of red papules
After 4 days, a network of red spots may appear on the arms and torso
In the third stage, the rash appears only after exposure to sunlight or heat

Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that most often affects children. The first sign is usually a red, itchy patch. There are two types of impetigo:

Nonbullous impetigo- red sores appear around the mouth and nose.
Bullous impetigo- less common, usually affects children under 2 years of age. Medium to large blisters appear on the torso, arms, and legs.

Scabies

Scabies is a skin disease caused by a microscopic mite. It is highly contagious and spreads easily through personal contact. Symptoms include:

Severe itching - often worse at night.
The rash looks like a line. Blisters are sometimes present.
Sores may appear at the site of the rash.

Eczema

It is one of the most common skin diseases. It often develops during childhood. Symptoms depend on the type of eczema and the person's age, but often include:

Dry scaly patches on the skin
Severely itchy rash
Cracked and rough skin

hay fever

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to pollen. Symptoms may be similar to those of a cold, such as:

Runny nose
Watery eyes
Sneezing

Hay fever can also cause a rash similar to hives. The rash will appear as itchy red spots.

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory response to a streptococcal infection such as acute pharyngitis. Most often it affects children aged 5-15 years. Symptoms include:

Small, painless bumps under the skin
Red skin rash
Swollen tonsils

Mononucleosis

Caused by a virus. The illness is rarely serious, but symptoms may include:

Pink, measles-like rash
Body aches
High temperature

Ringworm

Ringworm, despite its name, is caused by a fungus. The fungal infection affects the top layer of skin of the body, scalp and nails. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the infection, but may include:

Itchy, red ring-shaped rash - sometimes slightly raised
Small patches of scaly skin
Hair loss in the affected area

Measles

This is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubeola virus. Symptoms include:

Reddish-brown rash
Small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth
Dry cough

Sepsis

Sepsis, often called blood poisoning, is a medical emergency. Sepsis develops as a result of a massive immune response to infection. Symptoms vary but may include:

Rash that doesn't go away with pressure
Fever
Increased heart rate

Lyme disease

This is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms include a migratory rash that often appears early in the disease.

The rash begins as a small red area that may feel warm to the touch but is not itchy. Soon the central part loses color, giving the rash an apple-like appearance.

The rash does not necessarily appear at the site of the tick bite.

Toxic shock syndrome

It is a rare disease caused by a bacterial infection. It develops quickly and can be life-threatening. All people with toxic shock syndrome experience a fever and rash with the following characteristics:

Looks like a sunburn and covers most of the body
The rash is flat
Turns white when pressed

Acute HIV infection

In the early stages of HIV, levels of the virus in the blood are very high because the immune system has not yet begun to fight the infection. Early symptoms include a rash with the following:

Mainly affects the upper body
Flat or barely raised small red dots
Doesn't itch

Acrodermatitis

Acrodermatitis, a type of pustular psoriasis, is also known as Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. The disease is associated with viral infections. Symptoms include:

Itchy purple or red blisters
Enlarged lymph nodes
Bloated belly

Hookworm

A red, itchy, swollen skin rash in one specific area.
Labored breathing.
Extreme fatigue.

Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a rare syndrome that affects children. It is characterized by inflammation of the walls of arteries throughout the body. Symptoms include:

Rash on the legs, arms and torso, between the genitals and anus.
Rash on the feet and palms, sometimes with peeling skin.
Swollen, cracked and dry lips.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. The disease is treatable, but does not go away on its own. Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease and include:

Initially - painless, hard and round syphilitic ulcers (chancres).
Later, a non-itchy red-brown rash that begins on the torso and spreads throughout the body.
Oral, anal and genital warts.

Atypical pneumonia

Atypical is less severe than the typical form. Symptoms may include:

Rash (rare)
Weakness and fatigue
Chest pain, especially when breathing deeply

Erysipelas

Erysipelas is a skin infection that affects only the top layers of the skin. The skin becomes:

Swollen, red and shiny
Sensitive and warm to the touch
Red streaks over the affected area

Reye's syndrome

Reye's syndrome is rare and most often occurs in children. It can cause severe damage to the body's organs, especially the brain and liver. Early symptoms include:

Rash on the palms of the hands and feet.
Repeated severe vomiting.
Lethargy, confusion and headaches.

Addisonian crisis

Addisonian crisis, also known as adrenal crisis and acute adrenal insufficiency, is a rare and potentially fatal condition in which the adrenal glands stop working properly. Symptoms include:

Skin reactions, including rash
Low blood pressure
Fever, chills and sweating

Chemical burns

Relatively common, they can occur when a person comes into direct contact with a chemical or its vapor. Symptoms vary but may include:

Skin that appears black or dead
Irritation, burning, or redness in the affected area
Numbness and pain

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in children. They used to call him juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms vary depending on the subtype, but may include:

Random rashes
Scaly psoriasis-like rash
Fever outbreaks

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection of the lungs. Sometimes it has no symptoms, but other times it causes symptoms similar to pneumonia:

Chest pain
Red bumps on shins

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a disease that causes muscle weakness and rash. The rash may be red and blotchy or bluish-purple, and appears in places such as:

Shoulders and upper back
Fingers
Palms
Around eyes

Ichthyosis vulgaris

Ichthyosis vulgaris is a hereditary skin disease that often begins in childhood. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for the protein filaggrin. Features include:

The surface of the skin becomes dry, thick and scaly.
Dryness is often accompanied by small, white or scaly skin flakes.
The disease usually affects the elbows, legs, face, scalp and torso.

Pemphigoid

Pemphigoid is a group of rare autoimmune conditions that primarily cause rashes and blistering of the skin. There are three main types:

Bullous pemphigoid- formation of blisters on the lower torso, groin, armpits, inner thighs, feet and palms.
Cicatricial pemphigoid- most often affects the mucous membranes.
Pemphigoid gestation- develops during pregnancy and affects mainly the upper body.

Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria is a genetic condition that affects how phenylalanine is broken down by the body. Affects 1 in 10,000 children in the United States. If the condition is not treated, phenylalanine accumulates, causing:

Skin rashes such as eczema
Lightening of skin and eyes due to abnormal melanin levels
Seizures

Porphyria

Porphyria refers to a group of genetic disorders that can affect the nervous system or skin. Symptoms vary but may include:

Redness and swelling of the skin
Burning pain
Changes in skin pigmentation

Heliotrope rash

Heliotrope rash is often the first noticeable symptom of an inflammatory muscle disease called dermatomyositis. In this condition:

The skin swells
Red spots appear
Skin looks dry and irritated

High levels of uric acid in the body

A person may develop a rash when high levels of uric acid in the blood cause crystals to form and accumulate in and around the joint. This can also lead to gout. Symptoms include:

Patch rash on the surface of the skin
Redness, tenderness and swelling of the joints
Prolonged joint pain for several weeks after the reaction

Home Remedies

Rash comes in many forms and develops for many reasons. However, there are some basic measures that can speed up recovery and ease discomfort:

Use mild, unscented soap. This soap is specially developed for sensitive or children's skin.
Do not wash or shower with hot water- choose warm.
Try to let the rash “breathe.” Do not cover the affected area with adhesive tape or bandage.
Don't rub the rash, pet it if you feel itchy.
If the rash is dry For example, for eczema, use unscented moisturizers.
Do not use cosmetics or lotions that may cause a rash, such as recently purchased products.
Avoid scratches to reduce the risk of infection.
Cortisone creams, which can be purchased over the counter, may relieve itching.
Calamine may relieve chickenpox rashes, or those caused by poison ivy or poison oak.
If the rash causes mild pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may provide relief, but they are not a long-term solution—they will not treat the cause of the rash.

When to see a doctor?

If the rash is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor:

A sore throat
Joint pain
Recent animal or insect bite
Red streaks near the rash
Sensitive areas near the rash

Although a rash is usually not a cause for concern, Anyone experiencing the following symptoms should go to hospital immediately:

Rapidly changing skin color
Difficulty breathing or a feeling of tightness in the throat
Increasing or severe pain
Heat
Confusion
Dizziness
Swelling of the face or limbs
Dull pain in the neck or head
Recurrent vomiting or diarrhea

In medicine, there are usually six types of primary infectious rash in a child. These include rashes associated with scarlet fever, erythema infectiosum, mononucleosis, measles, roseola infantum and rubella.

Signs of infectious rashes in children

The infectious nature of the rash is indicated by a number of symptoms accompanying the course of the disease. These signs include:

intoxication syndrome, which includes fever, weakness, malaise, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headaches and muscle pain, etc.;
signs of a specific disease, for example, with measles, Filatov-Koplik spots appear, with scarlet fever, limited redness of the pharynx and others are usually noted;
In most cases, infectious diseases can be traced to a cyclical course; cases of similar pathologies are also observed in family members of the patient, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, that is, people who had close contact with him. But it must be taken into account that the nature of the rash can be the same for various diseases.

In children, an infectious rash most often spreads through contact or hematogenous routes. Its development is associated with the rapid proliferation of pathogenic microbes on the baby’s skin, their transfer through the blood plasma, infection of blood cells, the occurrence of the “antigen-antibody” reaction, as well as increased sensitivity to certain antigens secreted by bacteria that cause infection.

Papular rashes, which later begin to weep, are often caused by direct infection of the skin with pathogenic microorganisms or viruses. However, the same rash can appear under the influence of the immune system upon exposure to a pathogen.

Diagnosis of infectious rashes

When diagnosing maculopapular rashes and nonvesicular rashes caused by viral infection, the palms and soles become predominantly affected, which is otherwise quite rare. Thus, for bacterial and fungal infections, immune diseases, as well as side effects on various medications, such a lesion zone is absolutely not typical.

An infectious rash in a child can accompany both acute and chronic diseases. Among acute pathologies, rashes most often manifest themselves as measles, chickenpox, scarlet fever and others, and among chronic pathologies - tuberculosis, syphilis and others. At the same time, the diagnostic significance of the elements of the rash may be different. So, in one case, the diagnosis can be made based on characteristic rashes alone, in others, the elements of the rash become a secondary diagnostic sign, and in others, the rash is an atypical symptom.

Measles rash

Measles is an infectious disease characterized by intoxication, fever, damage to the upper organs of the respiratory system, severe cyclicity and a skin rash in the form of spots and papules. This pathology is easily transmitted through contact with a sick person through airborne droplets. Rashes usually appear on the 3-4th day of illness. In recent years, the prevalence of measles has decreased sharply, this is due to timely vaccination. In the absence of antibodies to the causative agent of measles in the blood, a person is very susceptible to this disease.

The first elements of the rash may appear on the third, or in more rare cases on the second or fifth day of illness. Typically, skin manifestations of measles persist for about 4 days, after which they begin to reverse. In this case, the rash has a pronounced staged pattern. The areas of the bridge of the nose and behind the ear are the first to be affected, then the face and neck, then the torso and arms, and lastly the legs, feet and hands. By the fourth day, the elements become brownish in color and lose their papular character. Subsequently, pigmentation forms at this place, in some cases flaking. The individual elements of the measles rash are round in shape, often merge together, and rise above the surrounding skin, which remains unchanged.

To diagnose measles, the following aspects of the disease and characteristic manifestations are important:

An abrupt onset of the disease, a rapid increase in temperature, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, severe lacrimation and severe photophobia.

On the second day, Velsky-Filatov-Koplik spots begin to appear on the inner surface of the cheeks. They are small white dots around which there is a zone of hyperemia. The spots last for about two days and then disappear, leaving behind loose mucous membrane.

There are clear stages in the course of the disease. The rash appears on day 3-4. On the first day, the rash affects the face, on the second – the torso, and on the third – the limbs. One can note the peculiar development of the elements: at first it is a spot or papule, approximately 5 mm in size, then it quickly grows to 1-1.5 cm, while individual spots often merge into a continuous surface.

Character of the rash: profuse, prone to fusion, often takes on a hemorrhagic appearance.

Regression of the rash begins approximately three days after its appearance and goes away in the same order in which it appeared.

In some cases, rashes characteristic of measles may occur in a child during the period after live measles vaccination. This period can last up to 10 days from the date of vaccine administration. In addition to an infectious rash, the child may experience low-grade fever, conjunctivitis that lasts several days, cough, runny nose and other symptoms. In such cases, the appearing elements are not abundant and do not merge. The rash occurs without the typical stages of measles. The diagnosis is made based on examination, questioning and medical history.

Rubella

The causative agent of rubella is a virus. With this disease, there is an increase in lymph nodes located in the occipital region and back of the neck, as well as the appearance of an infectious rash. This pathology often occurs in children of primary school age and adolescence. Most often it is transmitted by airborne droplets; a transplacental route is possible. Depending on this, the disease is divided into congenital and acquired.

Congenital rubella is a rather dangerous pathology, since it has a teratogenic effect on the child, as a result of which various deformities may occur. The most common is the classic syndrome accompanying congenital rubella. It is manifested by three pathologies: a defect of the cardiovascular system, cataracts and deafness. Less common is the so-called extended syndrome, in which pathologies in the development of the nervous, genitourinary or digestive systems are noted.

Acquired rubella is a less dangerous disease. In childhood, its course is usually mild, and the temperature increase is not severe. In adolescence, all symptoms are more pronounced: the temperature reaches febrile levels, signs of intoxication and joint pain are noted. An infectious rash appears already on the first day of illness, in more rare cases - on the second. Elements of rashes form very quickly, most often within a day. The face is affected first, then the rash spreads to the neck, torso and limbs. The most favorite localization is the sides, extensor parts of the legs and arms, and buttocks. The rash remains on the skin for about three days, less often – up to a week, after which it disappears, leaving no traces.

In about one in five cases, rubella occurs without a rash. Such forms are very difficult to diagnose and recognize. However, they pose a certain danger, mainly due to the possibility of contact and infection of pregnant women.

In most cases, the course of acquired rubella is benign. Complications occur rarely, most often in older children and adolescents. Complications can manifest themselves in the form of meningoencephalitis or simple encephalitis, which are characterized by a fairly high mortality rate; also, after rubella, arthralgia, thrombocytopenic purpura or arthritis can develop.

Enterovirus infection

This disease is mostly very severe, accompanied by high fever. In addition, symptoms of enterovirus infection include gastroenteritis, herpetic sore throat, muscle pain, serous meningitis, and polio-like syndrome.

An infectious rash in a child affected by enterovirus occurs approximately 3-4 days after the onset of the disease. Usually its appearance is accompanied by normalization of temperature and noticeable relief of the patient’s condition. Rashes form immediately, throughout the day. The face and torso are predominantly affected. The characteristic appearance of the rash is macular or maculopapular. The size of the elements may vary, the color is pink. The rash lasts for several days (no longer than 4) and then disappears. In rare cases, pigmentation remains in their place.

Infectious mononucleosis

The causative agent of infectious mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus. Characteristic manifestations of the disease are generalized lymphadenopathy, severe fever, tonsillitis, hepatosplenomegaly and the formation of atypical mononuclear cells in the blood. Children and adolescents are more likely to develop mononucleosis. The virus that causes this pathology is a DNA-containing virus and belongs to the group of herpes viruses. It can cause cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. Infectious mononucleosis is difficult to transmit, that is, it is low contagious.

In most cases, this disease does not cause a rash. If it appears, then on about the fifth day. The elements of the rash look like irregularly shaped spots, the size of which is 0.5-1.5 cm. Sometimes these spots merge into a common surface. Typically, the rash is more severe on the face, and the extremities and trunk may also be affected. The rash appears chaotically, without characteristic stages, this is the difference from measles. In infectious mononucleosis, the rashes are polymorphic and exudative in nature. The size of individual elements may vary significantly. The appearance of the rash is not associated with any specific period of the illness: it can appear both on the first day of the illness and at the end of it. Usually it remains on the skin for several days, after which it disappears without a trace or with slight pigmentation in its place.

Skin manifestations of hepatitis B

Typical skin lesions that occur with hepatitis B include Crosti-Gianotti syndrome, which is characteristic of young children and manifests itself in the form of papular acrodermatitis, and urticaria. The latter becomes a characteristic symptom indicating the prodromal stage of the disease. The rash is present on the skin for a couple of days. By the time they disappear, jaundice and joint pain begin. The rash may appear as macules, papules, or petechiae.

Crosti-Gianotti syndrome often accompanies the anicteric form of the disease. However, other signs of hepatitis B appear simultaneously with the rash or much later. The rash remains on the skin for up to three weeks.

Erythema infectiosum

This disease is caused by human parovirus. The course of erythema infectiosum is usually mild; it is a low-contagious and self-limiting pathology. The rash with this disease looks like papules or macules. With infectious erythema, the prodromal period is weakly expressed, and general well-being is practically not affected. Children are more susceptible to this disease; in adults it is much less common.

Sudden exanthema

This pathology is caused by the herpes simplex virus, belonging to the sixth type, is characterized by an acute course and affects mainly young children. The disease begins with a sharp rise in temperature to 40-41 degrees, fever can persist for several days. In this case, the symptoms of intoxication are mild or completely absent. In addition to fever, generalized lymphadenopathy and rashes are noted. Skin manifestations usually occur after the temperature has normalized, approximately on the third or fourth day. Elements of an infectious rash can be spots, macules or pustules. The rash remains on the skin for about a day, after which it disappears without any traces.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is one of the diseases caused by streptococcus. A rash with this pathology usually appears towards the end of the first or beginning of the second day of illness. Then it quickly covers the entire body. First of all, the elements of the rash affect the face, especially the cheeks, then the neck, arms, legs and torso. Favorite localizations of the rash are the inner surfaces of the arms and legs, chest, lateral surfaces of the chest, lower back, fold areas: elbows, armpits, popliteal cavities, groin. The elements of the rash are represented by small roseola, the diameter of which is about 2 mm. The skin under the rash is hyperemic. Immediately after the appearance, the color of the rash is quite bright, and then it noticeably fades.

Meningococcal infection

With this disease, the rash appears within the first few hours, in more rare cases - by the second day. Before the rash occurs, the patient may experience symptoms of inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity and pharynx; this phenomenon lasts about five days. Then pronounced signs of intoxication appear, the temperature rises greatly, and elements of a rash appear. They can be represented by roseola or papules and quickly develop into a hemorrhagic rash that spreads and increases in size. Such hemorrhages protrude above the surface of the body. The predominant localization of rashes is the face, limbs, buttocks and torso.

Felinosis, or cat scratch disease

Another name for this disease is benign lymphoreticulosis. This is an inflammatory process that affects the lymph nodes and is characterized by a purulent nature. The causative agent of this disease is chlamydia, transmitted to humans through a scratch or cat bite. Manifestations of felinosis include fever, local lymphadenitis, and prolonged healing of the resulting skin injuries. At the beginning, the skin changes appear as reddish papules that are painless to the touch. In the future, they can fester, and when they heal, there is no scar left. Two weeks after receiving a scratch from an animal, local lymph nodes enlarge, most often the axillary nodes are affected, less often the inguinal or cervical nodes. After about two months, the lymph nodes return to normal. However, in almost a third of cases, the lymph nodes melt.

Yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis

Symptoms of these diseases are severe intoxication, damage to the musculoskeletal system and abdominal cavity; in most cases, patients also experience the formation of an infectious rash on the skin. The clinical picture for both pathologies is quite similar. An accurate diagnosis can only be made based on certain laboratory tests.

Pseudotuberculosis is characterized by the simultaneous appearance of a rash, which usually occurs on the 3rd day from the onset of the disease. The rashes are most often located symmetrically on the sides of the torso, lower abdomen, groin, area of the main joints of the arms and legs, mainly on the flexor part. But the entire surface of the body can be affected. At a time when there was no description of the etiology and mechanism of the disease, it was called DSF, which stands for Far Eastern scarlet fever.

Paratyphoid and typhoid fever

Paratyphoid types A, B or C, as well as typhoid fever, are caused by microorganisms related to Salmonella. These pathologies are characterized by all the symptoms of intoxication, severe fever, hepatosplenomegaly and a rash that looks like roseola. The clinical manifestations of both these diseases are similar. They usually begin acutely, suddenly with a sharp rise in temperature to 39 degrees and above. In addition, lethargy, weakness, apathy, malaise, etc. may be noted. Over time, symptoms tend to increase. In other words, the child becomes more and more lethargic, does not make contact, and refuses to eat. Typically, this causes an enlargement of the spleen and liver, the tongue becomes coated, and clear teeth marks are visible along its edges. By the second week from the onset of the disease, roseola appears on the skin, most often their number is small, the lateral parts of the chest and abdomen are affected.

Erysipelas

This disease is characterized by damage to the skin with the appearance of pronounced, limited lesions and symptoms of intoxication of the body. It is caused by a streptococcal infection. In this case, the element of the rash becomes hyperemia, which has a bright color, clear edges and a limited affected area. Its boundaries may take on an irregular shape. Typical areas where the rash appears are the eyelids, ears, and hands and feet. The skin under the elements of the rash swells noticeably. In this case, there is inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes and blood vessels from the site of skin lesions to regional nodes. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, erysipelas grows quickly and can lead to severe intoxication of the body and sepsis.

Congenital syphilis and rashes in children

Syphilitic rashes characteristic of the congenital form of syphilis usually occur in the first weeks and months of a child’s life. In this case, an infectious rash in a child looks like large spots, in some cases having a brownish color, or small nodules. In addition to the rash, there is an enlargement of the spleen and liver, severe anemia and positive tests for syphilis.

Borreliosis

Borreliosis is also called Lyme disease or tick-borne erythema. This pathology is characterized by an acute course and is caused by a spirochete. Infection occurs through tick bites. Symptoms of borreliosis include skin rashes and damage to the heart, nervous system and joints. This disease is common in areas where ixodid ticks are found.

Rashes due to helminthiasis and leishmaniasis

There are two types of cutaneous leishmaniasis: rural, or acute necrotizing, and urban, or late ulcerating. The first of them is carried in most cases by small rodents, such as gophers, hamsters, gerbils and others. The source of urban leishmaniasis is humans. The causative agents of this disease are carried by mosquitoes. The incubation period is quite long. In most cases it lasts about two months, but sometimes it can last several years.

A characteristic manifestation of cutaneous leishmaniasis is skin lesions in the area where the mosquito has bitten. As already mentioned, there are two types of disease, depending on the type of lesion. In the urban form of the disease, the elements of the infectious rash that appear on the skin are dry, while in the rural form they are weeping. After mosquito bites, exposed parts of the body become covered with itchy papules that grow quickly. After a few months, sometimes after six months, an ulcer with a granulosa base appears at the site of the lesion, the size of which can be more than 1 cm. It is painful to the touch, covered with a crust on top and does not heal for a long time. Healing occurs suddenly, usually a couple of months pass before this moment, and a thin, white scar forms at the site of the lesion. The causative agents of the disease can penetrate the lymphatic vessels, move along them and infect new areas, which is determined by inflammation of the lymph nodes and swelling of the tissue. As a rule, the weeping form of leishmaniasis develops more dynamically and quickly. After an illness, a strong immunity is formed.

An infectious rash in a child in the form of papules or macules may indicate the presence of helminthiasis. Most often, this manifestation occurs with echinococcosis, trichinosis, ascariasis and other diseases. The appearance of a rash in these cases is accompanied by severe itching.

Scabies in infants

Scabies in young children has some distinctive features. Thus, scabies are mostly located on the soles of the feet and palms. A rash may appear in the form of bubbles, spots or blisters, localized on the back of the head, thighs, flexor surfaces of the arms, legs, nipples and navel.

Chicken pox

This pathology is very contagious and easily transmitted from person to person; it is caused by a DNA virus. Characteristic signs of chickenpox are signs of intoxication and a characteristic rash in the form of vesicles that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Doctors classify chickenpox as an uncontrollable infection; most often it affects preschool children. In rare cases, newborn babies (if the mother did not have chickenpox in childhood) and adults can get sick.

The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of severe symptoms. The following signs are important in this sense:

The rash is represented by single-chamber vesicles and is located equally on the skin and mucous membranes.
The elements are localized on the scalp.
Severe itching

The rashes have false polymorphism. This is due to the periodic (every 2 days) appearance of new elements. Therefore, on the affected areas of the skin there are often elements characteristic of different stages of development: macules, papules, blisters, crusts.

Herpes and herpes zoster

The causative agent of herpes is a specific virus, which is divided into 2 types: type I mainly affects the mucous membranes and skin of the face, type II – the genital area and the lower part of the body. However, both types of viruses can appear in any location depending on the contact. Herpes clinically manifests itself as a blistering infectious rash on the skin and mucous membranes, and can also affect various tissues and organs. Before the appearance of rash elements, tingling, itching and increased sensitivity are noted at the site of the lesion; pain and neuralgia may occur in this area. Skin manifestations look like a group of vesicles with thin walls and a reddened, swollen base. Their localization can be different, although most often they appear at the border of the mucous membrane and skin. In childhood, blisters often become secondarily infected after bursting.

Herpes zoster has an acute course, its characteristic symptoms are blistering rashes, neuralgia, and increased sensitivity in certain places corresponding to the affected areas. When collecting anamnesis, it usually turns out that the patient has had chickenpox in the recent past. At the very beginning of the pathology, pain, thickening of the skin, fever, weakness, weakness and other signs of general malaise appear in the affected areas. The thoracic and lumbar regions are most often affected; in young children, the sacral and cranial nerves can also be affected, as evidenced by rashes on the genitals and legs. If the trigeminal nerve is involved in the process, skin manifestations may occur on the forehead, nose, eye area and scalp, cheeks and palate and lower jaw. After two or three days, red papules appear in a group arrangement. Then they pass into the stage of bubbles, the contents of which are first transparent, then cloudy. These blisters dry out and turn into crusts. The full development cycle of the elements of such a rash takes about 1-1.5 weeks. The rash is characterized by a one-sided location. It can take up to two days from the first symptoms to the appearance of the rash. Local lymph nodes are usually enlarged in this disease.

Dühring's disease, or hepetiform dermatitis

This pathology can develop after previous infections. Its onset is usually acute and sudden. It is expressed in the deterioration of the general condition, the appearance of fever, skin manifestations localized in the groin area, on the buttocks and thighs. The rashes are represented by blisters of different sizes, filled with transparent or hemorrhagic contents. The skin under the rash elements is not changed. Feet and hands are not involved in the process. There is a sharp, severe itching.

Dermatitis caused by insect bites

Dermatitis caused by an insect bite most often affects open areas. Elements of such a rash can become nodules or blisters. They usually itch a lot. Scratching or rashes similar to impetigo may form at the site of the lesion.

Pyoderma

This disease is characterized by purulent inflammation of the skin. The causative agents of pyoderma are often staphylococci or streptococci. This pathology can occur as a primary independent disease or become a complication of other diseases, such as neurodermatitis, eczema and others. Pyoderma can take various forms, including Ritter's exfoliative dermatitis, pseudofurunculosis, vesiculopustulosis, neonatal pemphigus and others.

Impetigo of streptococcal or staphylococcal nature

Such infections often occur in children's institutions, and due to their high contagiousness, they quickly spread and become epidemic. Impetigo manifests itself as an infectious rash represented by medium or small blisters. The disease is characterized by wavy rashes that are repeated on the scalp and face. During development, the bubbles burst, the secretion they contain dries out, leaving yellow crusts.

The disease ecthyma is very similar in appearance to impetigo, however, it also affects the deeper layers of the skin. This rash is localized mainly on the legs.

Bullous impetigo is a localized skin infection caused by staphylococcus. Its characteristic manifestation is blisters that form against the background of normal skin. The contents of such bubbles may be pale, transparent or dark yellow, and subsequently become cloudy.

Burn-like skin lesion caused by staphylococcus

This pathology is also called Ritter's exfoliative dermatitis and affects young children. The first symptoms of the disease are redness of the skin of the face, groin, neck and armpits. The lesion spreads quite quickly, the skin takes on a wrinkled appearance due to the formation of flaccid blisters. The liquid filling them is light in color and transparent in appearance. Then the top layer of skin begins to detach, the appearance is similar to a 2nd degree burn.

Pseudofurunculosis, or multiple abscesses

This disease is characterized by an infectious rash that looks like subcutaneous nodes. Their size can vary, from a small pea to a hazelnut. The color of the rash elements is usually brown-red, with a possible bluish tint. The back of the head, buttocks, back of the thigh and back are most often affected.

Viral exanthema in children is an acute infectious disease accompanied by fever and the appearance of characteristic rashes on the skin. The causative agent of exanthema, which mainly affects young children, are herpes viruses of various types, enteroviruses, coxsackie virus and other infectious agents.

The most common provoking factor that triggers the mechanism of the disease are childhood infections:

scarlet fever;
chicken pox;
rubella

The causative agent of exanthema in children is mainly viruses; the bacterial form of infection is much less common (in only 20% of cases). In fact, exanthema is a skin rash that appears when infected by viruses, or occurs as a result of the body’s immune reactions to the penetration of the pathogen (the rash with rubella spreads according to this principle).

Viral exanthema rashes can be of different types. So, with measles, rubella, infection with herpes virus type 6, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, a red rash appears on the skin in the form of papules and spots.

When infected with the coxsackie virus, herpes type 1, or the Varicella Zoster virus (which causes chickenpox), vesicular rashes filled with watery or serous contents form on the skin. Adenoviruses and enteroviruses cause rashes in the form of papules and vesicles that tend to merge.

Classification

The main symptom of viral exanthema is a skin rash, the appearance of which depends on the type of pathogen. Taking this factor into account, infectious diseases are divided into several types.

Classic exanthematous childhood infections accompanied by skin rashes:

scarlet fever;
rubella;
chicken pox

Atypical forms of viral infections:

sudden exanthema;
Infectious mononucleosis;
enterovirus infection;
erythema infectiosum.

Let us dwell in more detail on the main symptoms and methods of treating viral exanthems.

Signs of viral exanthema in children

Sudden exanthema in children is an acute viral infection caused by herpesvirus type 6 (less commonly type 7). In medicine, this childhood viral infection is also called pseudorubella or roseola. This is a widespread disease that affects almost all young children. In the vast majority of cases, sudden viral exanthema in children develops in babies aged 9 to 12 months.

The peak of infection usually occurs in the autumn-winter period, and boys and girls get sick with the same frequency. A child suffers this disease once, after which he develops a strong immunity that lasts throughout his life.

The course of the infection is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. The incubation period of the disease ranges from 5 to 15 days, after which the child’s temperature suddenly rises to 39-40°C, which is difficult to relieve with antipyretics. At the same time, pronounced symptoms of intoxication appear (apathy, lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, refusal to eat). But there is no cough, runny nose, upset stool or other signs of colds. Symptoms such as diarrhea, redness of the throat or swollen lymph nodes are rare.

Often the manifestations of sudden exanthema coincide in time with the period of teething, so parents and pediatricians often attribute the deterioration of the condition to this factor.

Fever

The fever persists for 2-3 days, after which the temperature returns to normal, the condition returns to normal, and the child returns to his previous activity and appetite. However, the impression of complete recovery is false, since after 10-20 hours the baby’s entire body is covered with a pale pink spotty rash. The first rash appears on the stomach and back, and then quickly spreads to the face, chest and limbs.

Rash

Elements of a roseolous or papular type rash have a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, turn pale when pressed, and then quickly restore their previous pink color. Such rashes do not itch, do not cause discomfort to the child and do not tend to merge. When a rash appears, the baby’s general well-being does not suffer, and such a rash is not contagious. A visual representation of what the rash looks like with sudden exanthema is given by the photos presented on websites dedicated to this disease.

All skin symptoms disappear without a trace after 2-3 days without subsequent pigmentation, only slight peeling remains on the skin. There are practically no complications with sudden exanthema, but in children with weakened immune systems, cases of asthenia, intussusception, and acute myocarditis have been reported. Often, after exanthema, against the background of reduced immunity, there is an increase in the number of colds and growth of adenoids.

Causes

Enteroviral exanthema in children develops when intestinal viruses penetrate the general bloodstream. In newborns, the disease is caused by viruses that are transmitted from mother to fetus through the placental barrier during pregnancy.

Like other infectious eczemas, this disease begins acutely, with a sharp increase in temperature and an increase in symptoms of intoxication, after the disappearance of which a diffuse rash appears without a specific location. A characteristic sign of enteroviral eczema is that the rash may appear against a background of ongoing fever. There are three main types of enteroviral exanthems:

Measles-like viral exanthema in children. It begins acutely, with fever, headaches and muscle pain. Almost immediately, redness of the oropharynx is noted, abdominal pain, loose stools, and vomiting often occur. On the 2nd-3rd day of a febrile state, profuse maculopapular rashes with a diameter of up to 3 mm appear, which disappear without a trace after 1-2 days with a simultaneous decrease in temperature and normalization of the general condition.
Roseoloform viral exanthema in children also begins suddenly, accompanied by fever, symptoms of intoxication, pain and sore throat, although upon examination no significant changes or hyperemia of the oropharynx are detected. The temperature drops sharply to normal values 2-3 days after the onset of the disease, and at the same time round pink rashes up to 1.5 cm in diameter appear throughout the body, and they appear most abundantly on the chest and face. The rash disappears without a trace within 1 to 4 days.
Viral pemphigus is one of the variants of enteroviral exanthema. The causative agent of the disease is the coxsackie virus and enteroviruses. This type of exanthema primarily affects children under 10 years of age. The disease is characterized by slight intoxication of the body and the appearance of low-grade fever. Simultaneously with the deterioration of the condition, painful rashes appear on the oral mucosa in the form of vesicles with an erythematous rim. Soon the same rashes form on the skin of the palms, feet, genitals or face. The vesicles open quite quickly, leaving erosions in their place. The disease is mild, complications usually do not occur, recovery occurs in 7-10 days.

Erythema infectiosum

This type of exanthema in children is caused by parvovirus B 19. The characteristic symptom of the disease is red, swollen cheeks and a lacy rash that appears on the torso and limbs. Two days before the appearance of characteristic rashes, a deterioration in the general condition is noted - malaise, low-grade fever, lack of appetite, nausea, headache.

Small red spots that appear on the child’s face quickly merge and form bright red erythema; in medicine, this sign is called the symptom of “slapped” cheeks. The rash on the face resolves within 1-3 days, after which bright red round spots appear on the skin of the body.

They are localized in the neck, torso and in the bends of the limbs. The peculiar, mesh-like nature of the rash gives it the appearance of lace, which is why this type of infection is called lace exanthema. When such rashes appear, quite severe itching is noted. Skin manifestations usually disappear within a week, but under the influence of unfavorable factors (sun exposure, cold, heat, stress) they can remain on the skin for several weeks.

Infectious mononucleosis

Caused by herpes viruses, which most children become infected by the age of three. The peak incidence occurs between 4 and 6 years of age and adolescence. The course of an acute infectious disease is accompanied by fever, symptoms of sore throat, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, lymphocytosis and the appearance of atypical mononuclear cells in the blood. By the end of the first week of the disease, an enlargement of the liver and spleen is noted.

In addition to the main symptoms, damage to the skin and mucous membranes occurs. At the height of the disease, rashes of various types appear on the skin - pinpoint, maculopapular or hemorrhagic elements. This rash does not itch and does not cause much concern; it lasts for about 10 days, after which it resolves without leaving any traces.

an acute, highly contagious viral infection, the causative agent of which belongs to the paramyxovirus family. The appearance of rashes with this infection is preceded by fever with high temperature, dry cough and symptoms of intoxication. First, 2-3 days before the appearance of the main rashes, small whitish spots form on the mucous membrane of the cheeks.

Then red papular elements appear on the neck and face, which quickly spread throughout the body. On the third day of illness, the rash even affects the feet, but gradually begins to fade on the face, leaving behind temporary pigmentation.

The causative agent of the disease belongs to the RNA togavirus family. The skin is affected by a papular rash, which spreads in the same sequence as with measles. But unlike measles rash, rubella rashes do not tend to merge. in children it proceeds easily, in some cases the general condition remains quite satisfactory. With reduced immunity, the appearance of low-grade fever and moderate fever is noted.

Chickenpox and herpes zoster

The development of these infections is provoked by a simple virus. When the pathogen first enters the body, it causes chickenpox. After recovery, it does not disappear from the body, remaining in a latent state in the nerve ganglia. As immunity to chickenpox develops, relapse of the disease manifests itself in the form of shingles.

This type of infection is accompanied by the appearance of blistering rashes with serous contents. With chickenpox, the blisters spread throughout the body; with herpes zoster, they form on the back, in the lumbar region and are located along the nerves. In both cases, the rash is painful and itchy, which, when scratched, increases the risk of bacterial infection and leads to the formation of purulent elements.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnostic measures for viral exanthems in children consist of a careful study of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. When making a diagnosis, it is very important to take into account the characteristics of the rash. The specialist should pay attention to the type, shape and size of the rash, their number and tendency to merge, as well as the background of the skin and the order of appearance of the rash (simultaneous, wavy or gradual).

Characteristic signs of viral exanthema are the appearance of rashes 2-3 days after the onset of the disease. Skin manifestations are usually preceded by a sharp increase in temperature and deterioration in general condition, and the appearance of a rash is noted after the disappearance of febrile symptoms. Viral exanthems are characterized by the absence of catarrhal symptoms, runny nose, and cough. In viral infections, the appearance of papules, spots or vesicles is noted, while the course of bacterial infections is accompanied by an erythematous or hemorrhagic rash.

Laboratory tests include a general blood test, the PCR method (aimed at identifying the virus) and ELISA (allowing the determination of antibodies to the infectious agent).

How to treat viral exanthema in children?

Treatment options will depend on the final diagnosis. For viral exanthemas in children, treatment is symptomatic, since there is no specific therapy.

The basis of treatment measures is bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and using antipyretics such as paracetamol or Ibuprofen. The doctor selects the dosage of drugs on an individual basis. In case of highly contagious viral infections (measles, rubella, chickenpox), it is necessary to isolate the child for the entire duration of the illness, preventing his contact with other children.

In case of chicken pox, measles, accompanied by the appearance of itchy elements, it is important to prevent the addition of a bacterial infection and associated complications. To eliminate itching, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines; to treat chickenpox rashes, be sure to use antiseptic solutions (brilliant, aniline dyes) and make sure that the baby does not scratch the itchy elements. When infected with herpes simplex viruses, antiviral agents are prescribed:

Valaciclovir,
Pharmciclovir

For herpes zoster, Acyclovir injections are used; the dosage of the drug and the administration regimen are selected individually by the pediatrician, taking into account the age, severity of symptoms and the general condition of the baby. For paraviral and enteroviral infections, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of intoxication and alleviating the patient’s condition.

During illness, the baby should be given as many fortified drinks as possible. These can be berry fruit drinks, compotes, green tea with honey and lemon, or rosehip decoction. In the room where the patient is located, it is necessary to do daily wet cleaning and ventilate the room more often. For non-contagious forms of exanthema (for example, sudden exanthema), the baby can be taken out for a walk after the fever has stopped and the temperature has normalized.

To avoid unwanted complications that may accompany various forms of viral exanthems, parents should strictly follow all recommendations of the attending physician and not self-medicate. To prevent infection with measles or rubella, it is necessary to vaccinate your child in a timely manner.

Parents always perceive the appearance of a rash on a child’s skin with alarm, because everyone knows that the condition of the skin reflects the condition of the entire organism. Is a child's rash always a cause for concern? We will tell you in this article how to understand what is happening to the child and how to help him.

Features of children's skin

Children's skin is different from adult skin. Babies are born with very thin skin - the dermis of newborns is approximately two times thinner than the middle skin layer of adults. The outer layer, the epidermis, thickens gradually as the baby grows older.

In the first month of life, the skin may be red or purple. This is due to the fact that the blood vessels in babies are located close to the surface, and there is not enough subcutaneous tissue, which is why the skin may look “transparent”. This is especially noticeable when the newborn is cold - a marbled vascular network appears on the skin.

The skin of babies loses moisture faster, it is more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, fungi and mechanical stress. It begins to thicken only at 2-3 years and this process lasts up to 7 years. The skin of younger schoolchildren is already beginning to resemble the skin of adults in its characteristics and functionality. But after 10 years, children's skin faces a new test - this time, puberty.

It is not surprising that thin children’s skin reacts to any external influence or internal processes with rashes of various sizes, colors and structures. And not every childhood rash can be considered harmless.

It is important to understand that there is no causeless rash in children; any pimple or change in pigmentation has a reason, sometimes pathological.

What is a rash?

In medicine, a rash is considered to be a variety of rashes on the skin that in one way or another change the appearance of the skin in color or texture. For parents, all rashes are approximately the same, but doctors always distinguish between primary rashes, which formed first, and secondary ones, those that formed later, at the site of the primary ones or nearby.

Different childhood diseases are characterized by different combinations of primary and secondary elements.

This is not a complete list of diseases that occur with the formation of a rash.

Most ailments, as can be seen from the table, require mandatory medical consultation; some, for example, meningococcal infection and scarlet fever, require emergency medical care.

If a rash appears in a child that does not resemble acne or prickly heat, you should definitely show your child to a pediatrician or dermatologist to rule out dangerous and serious infectious diseases, pathologies of internal organs that affect metabolism and digestion.

It is important to remember that many infections that appear on the skin can be very contagious. Therefore, you should not take your child to the clinic at your place of residence, so as not to infect others in the general queue. It is best to call a pediatrician at home.

If possible, you can take the child to a specialized infectious diseases hospital, where it is possible to quickly undergo the necessary examination and confirm or refute the infection.

Treatment

Treatment of a rash does not always require only local action; most often it is a whole range of measures aimed at changing the child’s living conditions, revising his diet, and taking medications.

The rash should be treated only after the true cause of its occurrence is known, because incorrect treatment can only worsen the child’s condition. Depending on the true nature of the skin rash, different treatments will be prescribed.

Infectious viral

The rash that accompanies most “childhood” diseases (chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever, etc.) does not require treatment. No medications or folk remedies can affect its duration.

The rash goes away when the immune system produces a sufficient amount of antibodies and completely deals with the virus that has entered the body.

Depending on the severity of the disease itself, the doctor prescribes immunomodulatory drugs, antiviral drugs, vitamins, and antipyretic drugs.

A child with a viral infection is advised to drink plenty of warm fluids.

For the most part, antiviral drugs sold in pharmacies have no effect; they have no proven effectiveness. Many popular homeopathic remedies are also essentially a “dummy” placebo effect.

But nothing else is required from these medications, because viral infections go away on their own, with or without pills. The drugs are prescribed so that parents have something to do while on sick leave and so that the doctor is not accused of inattention.

Typically, treatment of a viral infection takes from 5 to 10 days, after the rash disappears there are no traces left. An exception is chickenpox, in which damaged vesicles can leave quite deep, life-long pits in the skin.

A rash caused by herpes viruses (on the face, on the lower back, on the genitals) is much less itchy and painful if you use Acyclovir cream.

Infectious bacterial

A pustular rash caused by pathogenic bacteria is treated with antibiotics and antiseptics. Moreover, antibiotics are selected after a culture test, when the doctor has clear information about which bacteria caused the suppuration and to which antibacterial agents they demonstrate sensitivity.

Usually children are prescribed penicillins, less often cephalosporins. For mild infections, local treatment with ointments that have an antimicrobial effect is sufficient - Levomekol, Baneocin, erythromycin ointment, gentamicin ointment, tetracycline ointment.

In some cases, for widespread and severe infection or an infection that risks spreading to internal organs, it is prescribed antibiotics orally - for children in the form of a suspension, for preschoolers and adolescents - in tablets or injections.

Preference is given to broad-spectrum drugs, usually of the penicillin group - “Amoxiclav”, “Amosin”, “Amoxicillin”, “Flemoxin Solutab”. If drugs in this group are ineffective, cephalosporin antibiotics or macrolides may be prescribed.

As antiseptics Well-known aniline dyes are often used - a solution of brilliant green (brilliant green) for staphylococcal infections or "Fukortsin" for streptococcus. Damaged skin is treated with salicylic alcohol.

Along with antibiotics, if they are prescribed orally, the child is recommended to take drugs that will help avoid the occurrence of dysbacteriosis - “Bifiborm”, “Bifidumbacterin”. It is also useful to start taking vitamin complexes appropriate for the child’s age.

Some purulent rashes, such as boils and carbuncles, may require surgical intervention, during which the formation is incised crosswise under local anesthesia, the cavity is cleaned out and treated with antiseptics and antibiotics. There is no need to be afraid of such a mini-operation.

The consequences of refusing it can be very dire, because staphylococcal infection can lead to sepsis and death.

Heat rash and diaper rash

If a baby develops prickly heat, this is a signal for parents to change the conditions in which the child lives. The temperature should be at 20-21 degrees Celsius. The heat only makes the prickly heat worse. Irritation from sweat, although it gives the child a lot of excruciating sensations and pain, can be treated fairly quickly.

The main cure for this is cleanliness and fresh air. The child should be washed with warm water without soap or other detergents. Several times a day you need to give your baby naked air baths. You should not wrap your child up, but if he does get sweaty, for example, while walking outside in a warm overall in winter, then immediately upon returning home, bathe the child in the shower and change into clean and dry clothes.

For severe diaper rash, damaged skin is treated 2-3 times a day. Most carefully and thoroughly - after daily evening bathing. After it, Bepanten, Desitin, and Sudocrem are applied to still damp skin with signs of prickly heat. Use the powder with great care, since talc dries out the skin very much.

Baby cream or any other greasy creams or ointments should not be applied to the skin of a child with heat rash, as they moisturize and do not dry out. You should also avoid getting massage oil on diaper rash during evening restorative procedures.

Allergic

If the rash is allergic, treatment will involve finding and eliminating the child's exposure to the allergenic substance that caused the rash. To do this, the allegologist performs a series of special tests using test strips with allergens. If it is possible to find the protein that caused the rash, the doctor gives recommendations on eliminating everything that contains such a substance.

If the antigen protein cannot be found (and this happens often), then parents will have to try and exclude from the child’s life everything that poses a potential threat - pollen, food (nuts, whole milk, chicken eggs, red berries and fruits, some types of fresh herbs and even some types of fish, plenty of sweets).

You will have to be especially careful when using baby skin care products.

Usually, eliminating the allergen is more than enough for the allergy to stop and the rash to disappear without a trace. If this does not happen, or in case of severe allergies, the doctor prescribes antihistamines (“Tavegil”, “Cetrin”, “Suprastin”, “Loratadine” and others).

It is advisable to take them simultaneously calcium supplements and vitamins. Locally, if necessary, the child is given hormonal ointments - Advantan, for example. Severe forms of allergies, in which, in addition to a skin rash, there are pronounced respiratory manifestations, as well as internal pathologies, the child is treated as an inpatient.